Acts 20:14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 20:13-16

Paul is hastening towards Jerusalem, but strives to do all the good he can by the way, os en parodo, ?as it were by the by.? He had called at Troas, and done good there; and now he makes a sort of coasting voyage, the merchants would call it a trading voyage, going from place to place, and no doubt endeavouring to make every place he came to the better for him, as every good man should do. I. He sent his companions by sea to Assos, but he himself was minded to go afoot, Acts 20:13. He had... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 20:13-16

20:13-16 But we went to the ship and set sail for Assos, for there we intended to take Paul on board for he had arranged things in this way, since he himself intended to do that stage on foot. When we met him at Assos we took him on board and went to Mitylene. On the next day we sailed away from there and arrived opposite Chios. On the second day we crossed over to Samos and on the next day we came to Miletus.. for Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so as not to have to spend time in Asia.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 20:14

And when he met with us at Assos ,.... According to appointment: we took him in ; to the ship, and so sailed on: and came to Mitylene ; a city in Lesbos F21 Plin. l. 5. c. 31. Mela, l. 2. c. 14. , an island in the Aegean sea, now Metelino: sometimes the island is so called, and is about seven miles and a half from the continent: of this city Vitruvius F23 De Architectura, l. 1. c. 6. p. 27, says, that it was magnificently and elegantly built, but not prudently situated;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 20:14

Came to Mitylene - This was a seaport town in the isle of Lesbos: see its place in the map. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:1-16

Scenes by the way. I. FUGITIVE SERVICE . "When they persecute you in one city, flee into another," had said the Lord. But not as a hireling who sees the wolf coming; rather as a brave warrior who retreats fighting. The brave retreat may reflect more honor than the hopeless prolongation of warfare. We must know when to give way. There is a "wise passiveness" and a "masterly inactivity." If we can but gain our Christian point, we should suffer no scruple of vanity to stand in our... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:13-16

Troas to Miletus. A glimpse into the activity of Paul's life. I. His extraordinary ENERGY . Walking probably some twenty miles to Assos to meet the vessel. His independence of character. Although a man of strong affections, he loved to be alone sometimes. His purposes were maturely formed and resolutely carried out. II. His spiritual life was sustained by FELLOWSHIP WITH BRETHREN . The long voyages made in those days in sailing-vessels of only moderate speed would afford... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:13-38

The charge. The previous section brought before us St. Paul's labors as a missionary and an evangelist. The present section sets him before us as the Christian bishop, delivering his solemn charge to the presbyters of the Church. The qualities brought out in the charge are a transparent integrity of character; a noble ingenuousness, which enables him to speak of himself without a particle of vanity; and a resoluteness of purpose to do what is right, which no persuasion could weaken and no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 20:14

Met for met with, A.V. Mitylene . The capital of the island of Lesbos, called by Horace "pulchra Mitylene" ('Epist.,' 1. 11.17). The harbor on the north-eastern coast is described by Strabo as "spacious and deep, and sheltered by a breakwater" (13. 2). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Acts 20:14

Came to Mitylene - This was the capital of the island of Lesbos. It was distinguished by the beauty of its situation, and the splendor and magnificence of its edifices. The island on which it stood, Lesbos, was one of the largest in the Aegean Sea, and the seventh in the Mediterranean. It is a few miles distant from the coast of Aeolia, and is about 168 miles in circumference. The name of the city now is Castro. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Acts 20:13-16

Acts 20:13-16. And we went before to ship Namely, those that were to go with Paul; and sailed unto Assos A city to the south of Troas; there intending to take in Paul Who went thither on foot The place being much nearer by land than by sea; and in order that, being alone for a while, he might employ himself in meditation and prayer, his public work allowing him little time for retirement and private devotion: or, perhaps, he might intend to call on some friends by the way. And when... read more

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